Handbook for Parents - La Coccinelle

Handbook for Parents 2011/12 

La Pre-Maternelle La Coccinelle 

St. David's United Church 

3303 Capitol Hill Crescent NW 

Calgary, AB T2M 2R2 

Phone: 403-815-4063 

Website: www.la-coccinelle.ca


Handbook for Parents, 2011/12 

Contact Information (2011/12) .................................................................................................................. 4 

SECTION 1: ABOUT OUR PRESCHOOL ............................................................................................. 5 

A. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 5 

B. Our Philosophy ..................................................................................................................................... 5 

C. Our Program ........................................................................................................................................ 7 

Our Classes ........................................................................................................................................... 7 

Class Schedule ...................................................................................................................................... 8 

Fees ....................................................................................................................................................... 8 

Withdrawal ............................................................................................................................................ 8 

Stay-At-Home Parent Subsidy .............................................................................................................. 9 

Volunteer Parent Helper and Ami(e) du Jour ..................................................................................... 10 

Child Discipline Policy ....................................................................................................................... 11 

Pick-Up and Drop-Off ........................................................................................................................ 12 

Nutrition and Snacks ........................................................................................................................... 13 

Children’s Records .............................................................................................................................. 13 

Field Trips ........................................................................................................................................... 14 

Toilet Training .................................................................................................................................... 14 

Spare Clothes and Classroom Shoes ................................................................................................... 14 

Toys..................................................................................................................................................... 14 

School Closures and Cancellations ..................................................................................................... 14 

Communication with Parents .............................................................................................................. 14 

Registration ......................................................................................................................................... 15 

SECTION 2: Parent Responsibilities and Information ......................................................................... 16 

A. Membership ........................................................................................................................................ 16 

B. Volunteer Requirements ..................................................................................................................... 16 

C. Staff Positions ..................................................................................................................................... 16 

D. Criminal Records Check .................................................................................................................... 17 

E. Confidentiality .................................................................................................................................... 17 

SECTION 3: Health and Safety Policies ................................................................................................. 18 

A. Health information ............................................................................................................................. 18 

B. Health and Medical Emergency Care ................................................................................................ 18 

C. Supervised Care for Sick Children ..................................................................................................... 19 

D. Administration of Medication ............................................................................................................ 19 

E. Communicable/Contagious Diseases ................................................................................................. 19 

F. Emergency Evacuation ....................................................................................................................... 19 

G. Non-Smoking Policy ........................................................................................................................... 20 

APPENDIX A ............................................................................................................................................ 21 

-2- http://www.la-coccinelle.ca



Board of Directors and Volunteer Job Descriptions .............................................................................. 21 

1. Board of Directors’ Positions ............................................................................................................. 21 

Chair .................................................................................................................................................... 21 

Vice-Chair ........................................................................................................................................... 21 

Secretary ............................................................................................................................................. 22 

Treasurer ............................................................................................................................................. 22 

Registrar .............................................................................................................................................. 22 

Assistant to Registrar .......................................................................................................................... 23 

Communications Coordinator ............................................................................................................. 23 

Website Administrator ........................................................................................................................ 24 

Special Events Coordinator ................................................................................................................. 24 

2. Volunteer Positions ............................................................................................................................. 24 

Classroom Volunteer Coordinators (1 coordinator per class, 4 in total) ............................................. 24 

Scholastic Book Parent ....................................................................................................................... 25 




Contact Information (2011/12) 

Teachers 

Stéphanie Carlisle & Nancy Cooper 

Email: teacher@la-coccinelle.ca 

Phone: 403-815-4063 

Chair 

Marty Daalder 

Email: chair@la-coccinelle.ca 

Vice-Chair 

Donya Movaffagh 

Email: vice-chair@la-coccinelle.ca 

Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer 

Raquelle Whicker and Debbie Ng 

Email: treasurer@la-coccinelle.ca 

Registrar and Assistant Registrar 

Suzanne McCormack and 

Trevor MacDonald 

Email: registrar@la-coccinelle.ca 

Secretary 

Veronica Linkletter 

Email: secretary@la-coccinelle.ca 

Special Events Coordinator 

Virginia Linkletter, Debbie Ng 

Email: specialevents@la-coccinelle.ca 

Communications Coordinator 

Christie Webster 

Email: communications@la-coccinelle.ca 

Website Administrator 

Christie Webster 

Email: website@la-coccinelle.ca 




SECTION 1: ABOUT OUR PRESCHOOL 

A. Introduction 

We are happy that you have chosen to enrol your child at La Coccinelle. We hope that the 

experience will be positive for both you and your child. Although this handbook will provide the 

answers to many of your questions, our teachers and Board are always available to discuss your 

concerns. 

La Coccinelle is a non-denominational French immersion preschool in Northwest Calgary, 

Alberta with programs for 3- to 5-year-olds. We first opened our doors in 1981 and have been 

serving Calgary families for 30 years. Our preschool is run on a non-profit, co-operative basis by 

experienced teachers, a volunteer board and parent volunteers. We offer a carefully planned 

program of learning experiences for children in both structured and unstructured activities that 

contribute to their physical, social, intellectual, creative and emotional development. Children 

are encouraged to learn at their own pace through free play, games, music, preschool activities 

and crafts. In this fun environment the students are introduced to the French language through a 

daily routine with two responsive teachers. 

La Coccinelle is a licensed preschool with Alberta Children and Youth Services. We are licensed 

for a maximum of 18 children in both the 3-year-old and 4-year-old classes. We are also a 

registered society and a charitable organization. 

B. Our Philosophy 

La Coccinelle is a French immersion preschool with a program based on teaching, nurturing and 

balancing the “whole” child. We value and foster cognitive, emotional and social development, 

as well as fine and gross motor development. 

At La Coccinelle we endeavor to empower children and offer positive learning experiences 

through a variety of “guided” play opportunities. Choice and free play are important as children 

have a natural impulse to explore and create. They are naturally curious and want to learn. Play 

helps children learn, make friends and discover the world around them. Play is good for the body 

and for the mind. When children play, they learn more about themselves, other people and their 

environment. They become more creative thinkers who can cope with challenge and change. 

Research shows that children learn a great deal through play. This is why many educators and 

researchers refer to play as “the work of childhood.” 

La Coccinelle will provide opportunities for children to develop: 

� intellectually with opportunities to think, solve problems, communicate, and discover 

concepts; 

� socially with opportunities to cooperate, negotiate, initiate interactions with peers and 

participate in groups; 

� physically with opportunities to cut, draw, lace, dress-up, shake, dance, move and stretch; 




� emotionally with opportunities for self-expression, to choose to take risks and to be 

successful; and 

� creatively with opportunities to make choices, accomplish and create. 

We strive to help children develop using the following approaches: 

� The French component of La Coccinelle will immerse children into the language by 

gradual introduction through the use of songs, simple instructions and basic vocabulary 

(colours, numbers, shapes), using a monthly theme-based curriculum. For example, 

September’s theme may be “school and community safety”. This may include a visit to 

the fire hall, learning the colors of the traffic lights (in French!), and helping children 

choose healthy snacks and identify community members who help keep them safe and 

healthy. No expectations are placed on a child, as each child’s development is unique. 

� The “circle time” is the stage for introducing new vocabulary and concepts. Each day the 

children are involved in a group activity, where they participate in creative learning and 

social interaction with their peers. It is a guided learning time, where we encourage each 

child to use his/her imagination. 

� We follow a daily schedule from the child’s arrival at the school until the time he/she is 

picked up. Most children thrive on a consistent routine. The children quickly pick up and 

enjoy this routine, often keeping the teachers on track. This eases the separation from 

parents and caregivers, and also helps to prepare the child for the formal school setting. 

� La Coccinelle’s program incorporates the concept of choice and free play. There are 

several opportunities each day for children to choose their own activities. However, all 

learning experiences are carefully planned. Each play centre — housekeeping, dramatic 

play, music, art, blocks and floor play, puppet, puzzles and manipulative toys, library — 

contributes to the “whole” child’s development (physical, intellectual, social, creative and 

emotional). The centers are planned so children can be involved in different kinds of 

play: functional play (running, pouring, dumping and repetition of movement), 

constructive play (art, blocks, building and creating) and dramatic play (the house corner 

and role-playing). We believe that when children make their own choices and are in 

control of their activities, play becomes meaningful and experiences foster learning. 

Here are some examples of what children learn from various play activities offered at La 

Coccinelle: 

Activities Learning 

Social skills 

Dress-up, dramatic play Creativity 

Imagination and self-expression 

Circle time, listening, Language and literacy skills 

talking, reading, writing 




Art, music, literature, 

dance 

Puzzles, blocks, 

manipulative toys 

Games and physical 

activity 

C. Our Program 

Our Classes 

1. Three-Year-Old Program 

Art appreciation 

Creative expression 

Physical coordination 

Science and math concepts 

Eye-hand coordination 

Spatial awareness 

Problem solving 

Physical skills 

Analytical thinking and cooperation 

Children must turn three prior to the beginning of the school year to register in advance. Due to 

licensing requirements, children may not start the program until they have reached their third 

birthday (i.e. a child with a November 1 st birthday would not enroll or attend until then). 

Children who are not toilet trained will not be able to enter the program until they are 

trained. 

Program Days: Tuesday and Thursday 

Program Hours: Morning: 9 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. 

Afternoon: 12:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

2. Four-Year-Old Program 

Children must turn four years old by March 1 st of the school year in which they wish to enroll. 

Program Days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 

Program Hours: Morning: 9 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.; or: 

Afternoon: 12:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 




Class Schedule 

Fees 

Morning 

Classes 

Afternoon 

Classes 

9:00-9:20 12:45-1:10 Free Play 

Activity 

9:20-9:30 1:10-1:20 Clean up and transition to circle time 

9:30-9:50 1:20-1:40 

Circle Time: calendar, show and tell, songs, 

vocabulary, special themes 

9:50-10:00 1:40-1:50 Craft or Discovery ( eg; Science, Math) 

10:00-10:20 1:50-2:10 Bathroom Break 

10:20-10:35 2:10-2:25 Snack time (NUT-FREE) 

10:35-11:00 2:25-2:50 Story time; games 

11:00-11:15 2:50-3:00 Prepare to go home. Au revoir! 

Details on the current cost of registration and monthly tuition fees are found on our website, 

http://www.la-coccinelle.ca. 

The Board, at its sole discretion, has the authority to set the program tuition fees and make 

changes to fees for the upcoming school year. 

A non-refundable registration fee must be submitted prior to registration being finalized to 

ensure a child’s place in the preschool. Additionally, all post-dated tuition fee cheques (including 

a combined cheque dated September 1 st for September and June fees) must be submitted prior to 

registration being finalized. 

Please note that in the instance of an NSF cheque where a payment does not clear, the parent is 

responsible for covering any banking fees incurred by the preschool. 

Withdrawal 

One calendar month written notice (via email to registrar@la-coccinelle.ca) is required to 

withdraw. This means that notice must be given one month before the first of the month in which 

the child will be withdrawn (e.g. if a parent wishes to withdraw a child on November 10 th , the 




parent must give written notice by October 1 st ). The child may attend school during the onemonth 

notice period. 

The combined cheque for September and June fees is non-refundable after September 1 st , unless 

the school does not accept the student. 

If a child is registered for September, the parent must provide written notice before August 1. 

After August 1, the one-month notice period operates and the September fees are nonrefundable. 

Stay-At-Home Parent Subsidy 

La Coccinelle participates in the Alberta government’s Stay-at-Home Subsidy Program. Under 

this program, eligible parents can receive up to $1200 per year for each preschool age child who 

is registered in our preschool. Information on the subsidy program is available online at 

http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/1167.cfm. Interested parents are also encouraged to contact the 

Child Care Subsidy Office of the Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority for 

information on the application process and eligibility criteria. 

Subsidy application forms are available online at http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/1166.cfm, or 

by contacting: 

Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority: 

Child Care Subsidy Office 

#300, 1240 Kensington Road NW 

Calgary, AB T2N 3P7 

Reception: 403-297-6100 

The allowable combined family income for this subsidy is high — in the neighborhood of 

$75,000 gross — and it can even go higher depending upon the number of children you have. 

Don't automatically assume you can't qualify. Our best advice is to apply if you think you may 

qualify. To be eligible: 

� at least one parent stays at home to care for preschool age children and does not work 

or go to school for more than 20 hours per week; 

� family's combined gross monthly income and family structure qualify; 

� children are of preschool age (six years and under) and not yet attending Grade 1; 

� the preschool children are registered in an approved early childhood 

development program; and 

� funding is not being provided through the childcare subsidy or kin childcare funding 

programs. 

In order to apply for the Stay-at-Home Parent Subsidy, parents may be asked to provide a brief 

letter from La Coccinelle confirming their child's enrollment. Once a child is registered at our 




preschool and the registration fee is paid, we will be able to supply parents with this letter. Please 

request this letter from the Treasurer at treasurer@la-coccinelle.ca. 

At the end of each month, La Coccinelle will submit a confirmation of enrollment for each 

subsidized child to the Child Care Subsidy Office. Payment by the Alberta government will then 

be made on behalf of eligible parents directly to La Coccinelle. 

Due to the non-profit status of La Coccinelle, it is impossible to defer payment of monthly 

program fees until subsidy payments are received from the Alberta government. Therefore, we 

require that all eligible families pay the full program fees each month in the usual manner. 

Reimbursements to eligible families will be made throughout the preschool year. 

Volunteer Parent Helper and Ami(e) du Jour 

For each child enrolled, a parent or significant adult is required to spend time in the classroom as 

a volunteer “Parent Helper”. Parents of children in Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes are 

required to attend 7 or 8 times per year. Parents of children in Tuesday/Thursday A.M classes 

are required to attend 4 or 5 times per year. Parents of children in Tuesday/Thursday P.M. 

classes are required to attend 5 or 6 times per year. 

On the day that you are Parent Helper, your child is the Ami(e) du Jour! This is a very exciting 

and important day for your child. They are the teacher’s helper and are given special roles and 

responsibilities, and it is their turn for show and tell. The children look forward to this day when 

they can shine! 

While the Parent Helper is most often a parent, a close relation, nanny or someone special to 

your child can also fulfill this role. It is a special day for your child when someone close to them 

is the helper. However, please tell anyone who is going to volunteer in your stead that his or her 

duties are to assist the teachers. It is not a special one-on-one time with your child but a time to 

participate in their school class. 

You are not required to be bilingual so please do not feel uncomfortable when participating as 

the Parent Helper. 

Sign up for Parent Helper days will be done online, prior to school starting. Please remember that 

if you are unable to attend on your assigned days you are responsible for finding someone to 

replace you. The easiest solution is to swap days with another parent in your class. If you are 

unable to swap days with someone, contact your Classroom Volunteer Coordinator who will 

assist you in finding a replacement. 

Basic responsibilities of the Parent Helper are: 

� Arrive 10 minutes prior to class time (8:50 AM for morning class or 12:35 PM for 

afternoon class). The teachers need your help during this time to set up the classroom; 




� Assist the teachers in the day-to-day class routine. Please ask if you are unsure of what 

you can do; 

� Assist in the preparation of crafts; 

� Assist in snack time; and 

� Help tidy up the classroom (sweep floor, wipe tables, clean snack area). 

Most importantly have fun! Feel free to interact with the children and engage them in 

conversation about their play. This is an important learning experience for them and we believe 

that both the children and you as parents or caregivers share in this learning. 

Our provincial license prohibits the attendance of siblings on your Parent Helper days, as 

no child and emergency records are on file for siblings in the classroom. 

Please note that if there is no Parent Helper for a scheduled class, the class may be cancelled. 

Your presence in the classroom is welcome on days other than your Parent Helper days. 

However, if you wish to visit the classroom outside your scheduled days, please speak with 

the teachers at least 2 days in advance. We need to ensure we are always in compliance 

with the space requirements under our license. 

Child Discipline Policy 

Staff will help children understand, where developmentally appropriate, the type of behaviours 

that are unacceptable at preschool. While our philosophy at La Coccinelle is to focus on 

prevention of inappropriate behaviour, children will be disciplined in the following 

circumstances: 

� Hurting other students; 

� Destroying classroom material or the work of other students; and/or 

� Behaviour that is constantly disruptive to the classroom atmosphere and learning process. 

Any child disciplinary action taken will be reasonable in the circumstances and will not: 

� Inflict or cause to be inflicted any form of physical punishment, verbal or physical 

degradation or emotional deprivation; 

� Deny or threaten to deny any basic necessity; or 

� Use or permit the use of any form of physical restraint, confinement or isolation. 

The teacher and teacher’s aide will intervene when unacceptable behaviour occurs and will: 

� Remind the child that the behaviour is inappropriate and clarify appropriate behaviour; 

� Use proximity and touch to assist children in regaining self-control. The adult may move 

close to the child and use physical touch in a manner that assists the child in regaining 

self control but does not hurt, physically restrain or confine the child; and 

� Redirect the child to other more appropriate activities. 




If a child is persistently disruptive in the classroom and becomes difficult for the teachers to 

manage or if a child hurts other children in a manner that causes concern for the teachers the 

teachers will contact the Chair or Vice-Chair about the problem behaviour. 

The staff and Board will discuss the problem behaviour and the parents will be notified about 

any concerns. The staff and Board will discuss whether further steps need to be taken with 

respect to the problem behaviour. 

The following steps may be used in managing the behaviour: 

� The Board may develop a plan with a timeline in attempting to correct the problem 

behaviour; and 

� Parents of the child may be contacted and asked to attend all of the child’s classes for a 

period of time to work with the teacher in correcting the problem behaviour. 

If the behaviour cannot be managed or corrected in a reasonable period of time to be determined 

by the Board and the Board and teacher(s) are of the opinion that the child’s behaviour continues 

to disrupt the classroom to an extent that is counterproductive to classroom learning, the Board 

may choose to advise the parents that the child must be removed from the school. Also, if a child 

injures another child in such a manner that causes concern for the safety of the other children, 

even if the behaviour occurs only once, the Board has the option and may choose to advise the 

parents that the child must be removed from the school. 

Parents will be required to sign this policy prior to their child attending the school. 

Pick-Up and Drop-Off 

Try to be on time, not too early and not too late, and stay with your child until the classroom 

door opens to signify preschool beginning. Only children of Parent Helpers should be in the 

room before opening time. 

Saying good-bye is easy for some children; for others there is a natural fear of being left by their 

mother or father, even when it is just for a few hours. The teachers are experienced in handling 

separation anxiety of both the parents and the child, and will be happy to discuss coping 

strategies. 

Do not be late when picking your child up at the end of class. To be the only child left at school 

can be very traumatic. The pre-school hours of operation are part of La Coccinelle’s license and 

teachers are not permitted nor are they able to provide before and after school care for children. 

Only the authorized parent(s) or others identified by the parents can pick up a child. The 

registration materials on file for your child lists other authorized persons. Under no 

circumstances will a child be released to anyone not on the signed registration form. Please 

contact registrar@la-coccinelle.ca in the event the changes or updates to pick up information are 

required for your child. 




Nutrition and Snacks 

Children are required to bring a nutritious snack each time they come to preschool. “Nutritious” 

means food consistent with Canada’s Food Guide. Food items that are from at least two different 

food groups is suggested. Water is available in the classroom but they may also bring a drink if 

they wish. We suggest a reusable drink container. 

Children should not bring juice boxes as they are often not finished, prone to leaking, and 

place an added obligation on the preschool to bring them to a recycling facility. 

Children must be seated at all times while eating and drinking. To help reduce the risk of 

choking, some foods are prohibited because they are hazardous and difficult to modify, or 

hazardous and a poor source of nutrients. Food that is prohibited includes: 

� nuts and seeds 

� hard candies 

� caramels/toffee 

� jellybeans 

� chewing gum 

� popcorn 

� snacks made with toothpicks or skewers. 

In the event a child has forgotten his or her snack, water and crackers/cookies will be made 

available to satisfy the child’s appetite. 

Please remember that La Coccinelle is a NUT FREE school! 

Children’s Records 

La Coccinelle will maintain an up-to-date record of your child, which must contain the following 

information: 

� Your child’s name, date of birth and home address; 

� A completed registration form; 

� The parents’ names, home address and telephone numbers; 

� The name, address and telephone number of at least two people who can be contacted in 

case of an emergency; 

� The particulars of any health care provided to your child, including your written consent 

for staff to administer first aid and arrange other treatment in the event of an emergency; 

� If your child requires emergency medication (e.g., Epi-pen), your written consent for staff 

to administer the medication; 

� Any other relevant health information about your child, including child immunizations 

and allergies, if any. 




Field Trips 

From time to time, La Coccinelle offers special experiences such as field trips and in-class 

guests. You will receive a notice form well in advance of any out-of-class field trip. The field 

trip notice form will include date, start and finish time, where and how the children are traveling 

to and from the activity, and who is joining the group. Parent help is welcomed and usually 

necessary on all field trips. You must consent in writing to a child’s participation in all field 

trips. 

Toilet Training 

Children must be toilet-trained to attend La Coccinelle. Should a child’s clothing become wet or 

soiled while in attendance, parents will be contacted to come and change the child during class. 

Spare Clothes and Classroom Shoes 

The classroom has limited space for storage. Please keep a change of clothing in your child’s 

backpack at all times. Your child is required to wear indoor shoes (closed-toe and covered heel 

recommended) in the classroom. Please label the shoes with your child's name and store them on 

the shelf provided. 

Toys 

Children are asked to leave their toys, jewelry, and treasured items at home. When your child is 

Ami(e) du Jour, he/she may bring something special to show the rest of the class. 

School Closures and Cancellations 

La Coccinelle will close and school will be cancelled under the following conditions: 

� If the temperature reaches -40º C, including wind chill, as reported by the local news; 

� If the adult to children ratio cannot be met due to the absence of the teacher, teacher’s 

aide and/or Parent Helper; and 

� In all other cases, the teacher and the Chair or Vice-Chair must be in agreement before a 

class cancellation can occur. 

Attempts will be made to notify parents of any unscheduled school closures. 

Communication with Parents 

File folders are provided in the classroom for each child in order to pass on information to 

parents and for storing take-home crafts. A bulletin board located outside the classroom door will 




keep you informed of daily activities including upcoming meetings, school activities, and field 

trips. 

If you have any concerns about your child, please talk to one of the teachers directly. Please feel 

free as well to contact any member of the Board. Their names and contact information are 

provided on the preschool’s website at http://www.la-coccinelle.ca. 

Communication with parents on routine school business will also be conducted through email. A 

monthly electronic bulletin will be distributed through the communications coordinator including 

vocabulary, songs and teaching points from the current curriculum. 

Registration 

Please visit the website for current registration procedures. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide tours of the preschool to interested families during class 

time. We encourage all interested parents to attend our open house held each winter. Please visit 

the website for specific dates. 




SECTION 2: Parent Responsibilities and Information 

A. Membership 

La Coccinelle operates as a parent-run cooperative. As parents of children registered at La 

Coccinelle, you become members of the organization upon your child’s enrollment and cease to 

be members once you no longer have a child in the program. The teachers, as paid employees, 

are automatically members while in the employment of La Coccinelle. 

B. Volunteer Requirements 

As a co-operative, the success of our preschool depends largely on parent involvement. Our 

teachers are the only paid members of the preschool. We recognize that many of you have 

special skills and you are invited to share these skills through our parent volunteer program. 

All parents are required to volunteer in the following ways with the preschool: 

� Classroom parent helper. This is mandatory for all parents. See the section “Volunteer 

Parent Helper and Ami(e) du Jour” above; and 

� Play dough making. Parents are required to make play dough once per year. The play 

dough recipe is included in the registration materials and is also posted on our website. 

Sign up for Play Dough making will be done online, prior to school starting; and 

� Toy wash. Parents are required to attend a toy washing session once per year. Sign up for 

toy washing sessions will be done online, prior to school starting. 

Examples of other volunteer positions include: 

� Member of the Board of Directors; 

� Class Volunteer Coordinators (1 coordinator per class, 4 in total); 

� Scholastic Book Parent; 

� Special committee members; 

� Fundraising activities; and 

� Field trip volunteer. 

A description of the various volunteer positions, including the roles and responsibilities of the 

Board members, is attached as Appendix A. If you are interested in one of these positions, please 

contact chair@la-coccinelle.ca. 

C. Staff Positions 

La Coccinelle employs two paid teachers. 




D. Criminal Records Check 

Our preschool license requires that each paid staff member and each volunteer who has 

unsupervised access to children, other than a parent volunteer, must be an adult and must 

provide La Coccinelle with a criminal records check, including a vulnerable sector search. 

While parents are not required to provide criminal records checks, it is nonetheless the policy of 

La Coccinelle that no volunteer, parent or otherwise, shall have unsupervised access to children. 

This means, for example, that only the teachers shall take children to the bathroom and 

volunteers, including parents, cannot be left in a position whereby they would be left 

unsupervised with children. 

E. Confidentiality 

Any information shared by the teachers to parent volunteers must be kept confidential and not 

discussed outside the classroom under any circumstances. Parent volunteers should avoid making 

any statements about a particular child, including his or her own, a teacher, or the program in 

front of the children or parents. Any questions or concerns can be discussed with the teachers or 

Board outside of classroom time. 




SECTION 3: Health and Safety Policies 

A. Health information 

Details pertaining to your child’s health are required on registration. This includes your child’s 

Alberta health care number, important medical information, allergies, emergency medication 

requirements and emergency contact numbers. In addition, you will be required to provide 

written consent for the staff to arrange emergency medical care should the need arise, and 

administer emergency medication (e.g., Epi-pen) if prescribed. This information is kept in a 

prominent place in the classroom, as well as in a portable file for all off-site activities. 

B. Health and Medical Emergency Care 

Do not bring sick children to school. If your child has any health problems, please inform a 

teacher. A child who cannot participate in preschool activities or who exhibits the following 

symptoms is considered too sick to attend school: 

� Diarrhea or vomiting 

� Fever of 38º C or more 

� Persistent cough, sneezing, runny nose 

� Infected nasal discharge, e.g., thick, colored nasal drainage 

� Infected eyes 

� Rashes that are unidentified or that have not been diagnosed by a physician 

� A communicable disease, e.g., chicken pox, mumps, whooping cough 

Please keep children at home for 24 hours after symptoms end. 

A child who has been prescribed antibiotics may not return to the preschool until he/she has been 

taking the medication for at least 24 hours. 

Whether or not a child should be in class is at the discretion of the teachers. Please respect their 

decision and take your child home and/or seek medical attention. 

If an accident, serious illness or other medical emergency occurs at preschool, the staff will 

administer first aid and arrange medical care, as required. Parents will be contacted immediately. 

If the staff is unable to contact the parents, the emergency contacts will be notified. 

If a child needs to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance, a staff member will accompany the 

child. Parents will be responsible for covering the cost associated with transporting their child by 

ambulance in an emergency situation where the staff deems ambulance transportation to be 

appropriate. 

Our default medical center is: 




The Alberta Children’s Hospital 

2888 Shaganappi Trail NW 

Calgary, Alberta 

T3B 6A8 

Main Switchboard: 403-955-7211 

C. Supervised Care for Sick Children 

If a child becomes sick while at preschool, but does not require emergency medical treatment, 

the child will be kept as far away as is practicable from the other children until a parent arrives. 

A special mat for resting shall be provided and a staff member will directly supervise the child. 

D. Administration of Medication 

Routine medication will not be administered due to the short time children are present in our 

program. In the case of an emergency situation, emergency medication (for example, Ventolin 

and Epi-pen) will be administered according to the labeled directions with written consent of the 

parent. 

E. Communicable/Contagious Diseases 

Please immediately report any contacts your child has had with a communicable/contagious 

disease to the staff so notice can be sent out to other parents. This can include but is not limited 

to conjunctivitis (pink eye), head lice, chicken pox/shingles, measles, mumps, whooping cough 

and meningitis. Sick children must be kept at home until such time that there is no longer a risk 

of infecting others and until they have been symptom free for at least 24 hours. Children may 

require a doctor’s note to return to preschool. 

Where a staff member knows or has reason to believe that a child may be suffering from a 

communicable/contagious disease, the child’s parent will be notified immediately and the child 

must be removed from the preschool premises immediately. Depending on the nature of the 

illness, the preschool may have a legal obligation to report the illness to the health authorities. 

F. Emergency Evacuation 

The emergency evacuation route is posted in the classroom. In the case of an emergency, such as 

a fire alarm: 

1. A teacher and Parent Helper will evacuate the children from the building through the fire 

exit located in the classroom or alternatively out the side basement door of the building; 

2. If safe to do so, the Teacher will remain behind and will check the hallways, restrooms 

and classroom to ensure no children have remained in the building; 




3. The Teacher will gather equipment near the emergency exit. Equipment includes: daily 

attendance sheet, Portable Record, emergency medication, preschool cellular phone, and 

blankets (if necessary); 

4. The Teacher will close the door once she has evacuated the building; 

5. Staff will take roll call outside, at the specified meeting place, on the northwest corner of 

the lawn; 

6. A staff member will call for emergency help or leave the premises to seek assistance once 

all the children are safely evacuated and appropriately supervised; 

7. Staff will phone parents as soon as it is safe to do so; 

8. No one is to re-enter the preschool or the building until proper authorities have deemed it 

safe to do so. 

La Coccinelle will have fire drills throughout the year, for each class. The Teachers will prepare 

the children for these and ensure the children understand the emergency evacuation procedures 

where developmentally appropriate. 

G. Non-Smoking Policy 

La Coccinelle requires that no person smoke on our program premises. Further no staff member 

shall smoke at any time or place where childcare is being provided. For the purposes of this 

policy, our program premises include not only the classroom, but also the exterior areas 

including the outside entrance and sidewalk. At no time shall anyone smoke where children in 

the program may observe their smoking. 




APPENDIX A 

Board of Directors and Volunteer Job Descriptions 

1. Board of Directors’ Positions 

Chair 

The chair presides over monthly Board meetings, and prepares and circulates an agenda prior to 

the meetings. Board members should advise the Chair of additional agenda items. Should time 

permit, new business not on the agenda will be discussed at the end of the evening. The Chair: 

� is responsible for ensuring that other committee members are carrying out their duties 

and is available to help with difficulties as they arise; 

� arranges and chairs the Annual General Meeting and Parent Orientation Session; 

� is available to discuss parental or teacher concerns; 

� is a designated signing authority for the Association; 

� must immediately inform the Board of Directors of any changes to enrolment throughout 

the year; 

� is responsible for obtaining substitute teachers in the event that the teacher is absent; 

� is responsible for conducting a yearly performance review of all professional staff in 

accordance with their contracts; and 

� shall maintain a binder of all monthly committee reports, Association correspondence, 

parental concerns, newsletters etc. 

Vice-Chair 

In the event that the Chair is absent or unable to perform their duties the Vice-Chair assumes 

those responsibilities. The Vice-Chair: 

� is responsible for the fund-raising activities of the Association, and in cooperation with 

the Board of Directors, identifies and co-ordinates all fund-raising; 

� is responsible for assigning duties to the Fundraising Helpers and any other fundraising 

committees of the Board; 

� is a designated signing authority for the Association; 

� together with the Chair is responsible for annual performance evaluations for professional 

staff; and 

� together with the Treasurer files Revenue Canada forms relating to the Association's tax 

status and fund-raising. 




Secretary 

The Secretary records the minutes of all meetings of the Association and distributes them to all 

Board Members and posts one copy in the class and one on file. The Secretary: 

� is responsible for typing of all Association correspondence; 

� notifies Corporate Registry of all amendments to the Association By-Laws; 

� types curriculum prepared by teacher monthly and arranges duplicating, and distributes to 

all parents; and 

� types a newsletter after monthly board meeting and duplicates and distributes to all 

parents. 

Treasurer 

The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the financial records of the Association, which may 

be examined by any member of the Board or by any other person the Board grants permission at 

a mutually agreed upon time. The Treasurer: 

� pays all charges incurred by the school in accordance with approved spending policies; 

� deposits all monies received by the Association and issues receipts for same; 

� presents a statement of receipts and disbursements and budget projections on a monthly 

basis; 

� presents a financial statement at the Annual General Meeting; 

� is a designated signing authority of the Association; 

� responsible for paying all professional salaries in accordance with signed contracts, 

ensuring applicable employment deductions are made and remitting them to Revenue 

Canada prior to the 15th day of the month following the deductions; 

� responsible for issuing T4s, Employment Records and Registered Charity Information 

Return annually or as required, and issues registered charity receipts to donors; and 

� maintains 7 years of annual financial records. 

To facilitate continuity of this position, the Treasurer requires a commitment from September 1st 

to August 31st (this is the financial year). 

Registrar 

The Registrar prepares and supervises the annual registration for all classes. Once registration 

dates have been established by the Board of Directors, the Registrar will review and update all 

forms and correspondence. The Registrar: 

� arranges volunteers to be present during Open House days prior to registration to provide 

information; 




� records the current message on the school voice mail providing appropriate information 

to the time of year (vacancies, date of Open House). Checks the voice mail on a regular 

basis (depending on time of year) and returns calls in a timely fashion; 

� responsible for maintaining information in the classroom as set out in our licensing 

requirements; 

� shall review all applications to ensure that the required information is complete and 

follow up with registrants to obtain any missing information; 

� shall deliver all fees collected to the Treasurer; 

� will maintain current class lists with parent and child's name, address and phone number 

ensuring that board members and teacher have up-to-date copies; 

� responsible for notifying the teacher, Craft Coordinator, and Special Events Coordinator 

of all birthdays; 

� ensures that a copy of each child's registration is filed in the class and that exceptions are 

noted (i.e.: no immunizations); 

� shall immediately notify the Board of Directors of any changes to enrolment; 

� with the assistance of the Classroom Volunteer Coordinators, will provide each new 

parent with the following: 

� Handbook for Parents 

� List of Board Members 

� Schedule of class activities 

� Copy of last newsletter 

To facilitate continuity of this position, the Registrar requires a commitment from January 1st to 

December 31st. 

Assistant to Registrar 

The Assistant Registrar assists the Registrar in any capacity required. The Assistant Registrar: 

� will collect the Volunteer Forms (required as part of registration) from each family and 

coordinate the assignment of Board and Committee Members; 

� inform people of their volunteer assignment; 

� responsible during the school year for assigning new people to volunteer positions where 

needed; 

� ensure a Class Volunteer Coordinator is assigned to each class; 

� become the Registrar for the next school year. 

Communications Coordinator 

The Communications Coordinator prepares and submits advertising material to local newspapers 

or newsletters as directed by the Board; 

� is responsible for the annual promotion campaign of La Coccinelle which begins prior to 

the Open House and continues at some level until the school year begins; 




� is responsible for the preparation of whatever advertising is deemed needed and ensures it 

is distributed; 

� implements an email or phone alert to inform parents of emergencies, class cancellations 

or other important information; 

� receives email addresses from the Registrar and maintains the email list; forwards emails 

on behalf of the Board (e.g. events, fundraising, scholastics); 

� formats monthly newsletter from material received from the teachers; if possible, 

converts to PDF format to forward to families and to the Website Coordinator to post on 

the web, prints a few copies to be made available at the school; 

� prepares monthly sign-in sheets from the information received from the Registrar. 

Website Administrator 

The Website Administrator is responsible for maintaining and updating the website. The timely 

update to the website may include the following: 

� updating the school calendar; 

� updating the online volunteer calendar; 

� posting of any school photos; 

� posting of each month’s board minutes; 

� posting of the newsletters; 

� posting of any other messages sent out by the Communications Coordinator; 

� updating and posting registration documents; 

� updating contact information of board members; 

� changing the Parent’s password at least once per school year; 

� continually adding/creating new sections or additions to the website; and 

� creating additional copies of the school’s audio CD as required. 

Special Events Coordinator 

The Special Events Coordinator is responsible for coordinating field trips, special events and in 

class visitors. They will book the appropriate dates and rooms with the Church. As well, the 

Special Events Coordinator is responsible for keeping volunteers informed of upcoming events 

as suggested by the teacher. They will post sheets asking for extra parent helpers for special 

events (e.g. Halloween, Christmas, Valentines, and Easter) and monthly birthday parties. 

2. Volunteer Positions 

Classroom Volunteer Coordinators (1 coordinator per class, 4 in total) 

Classroom Volunteer Coordinators remind parents in advance of their upcoming Parent Helper 

days and encourages volunteers to sign up as Parent Helpers as soon as possible. It is the 

Classroom Volunteer Coordinators’ responsibility to ensure that there is a Parent Helper signedup 

for each class and that each family has volunteered an appropriate number of times based on 




the number of children in the class. As children are added or leave the class throughout the year, 

the Registrar notifies the appropriate Classroom Volunteer Coordinator that the calendars need to 

be amended (i.e. covering for a parent that has left or opening up Parent Helper days for a new 

parent). 

Scholastic Book Parent 

The Scholastic Book Parent works with the teachers to distribute Scholastic order forms to 

parents, place the orders, and receive the filled orders and provide them to parents.

Handbook for Parents - La Coccinelle

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